Washing machine having flexible washing compartment

ABSTRACT

Washing machine for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles, which washing machine (1) has a main part (4) and further comprises a flexible washing compartment (10) in which the washing of the laundry (L) takes place, wherein the flexible washing compartment (10) has a sealable opening (10a) for in an open state loading the laundry (L) to be washed into the flexible washing compartment (10), wherein the washing machine (1) further comprises: an inlet (2), for supplying washing water into the flexible washing compartment (10), an outlet (3), for disposal of washing water from the flexible washing compartment (10), wherein mechanical pressure device (11) is arranged at the flexible washing compartment (10), and in a closed state of the flexible washing in compartment (10) arranged to provide mechanical lifting pressure on the outside (10′) of a part (10″) of the flexible washing compartment (10), lifting this part (10″) such that the laundry (L) is subject to mechanical action to assist washing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional washing machines of today are usually relativelyvoluminous, usually of a certain standard measure. A washing machinewashes laundry, such as clothes, by wetting them, drying them, wettingthem again etc. until the laundry is clean. In order to accomplish thislaundering most of today's washing machines comprise a rotatablecylindrical drum in which the laundry may be alternately soaked anddried when the drum rotates without the laundry having to be transferredbetween different chambers. The latest development in the laundrybusiness has apart from the development of advanced washing programmesand informative user interfaces been all about minimisation of theconsumption of energy and water, and to some extent the drying effect,whereby the washing machines of today are both more energy efficient andconsume less water than what was the case only 10 years ago. Further,the spin-drying efficiency has been increased such that the washedlaundry will be drier than what has been possible in the past. This isadvantageous since it implies that less energy needs to be consumed atthe subsequent drying of the laundry. On the other hand the washingmachines, typically more or less all having cylindrical drums, are justas voluminous as they were 50 years ago.

PRIOR ART

There are many different types of washing machines, but most use violentmechanical action to get the washing water and washing agent into andout of the spaces between the fibres of the fabric of the laundry. Toprevent the violent mechanical action typically large amounts of waterare used which in turn requires a lot of heating; for increasingtemperature is the usual way of accelerating the washing reactions.

There are however other ways of washing laundry. An example is shown inthe laid open patent application GB 2 153 395, in which the laundry iswashed in a bag inside a pressure chamber. In the middle of the bagthere is a perforated column, through which water passes in and out andtowards which the laundry is pressed when the bags are emptied of water.Every time the water is pressed out of the bag the laundry is kneadedtowards the column. Due to the fact that the washing machine comprises apressure chamber it is however just as voluminous as any otherconventional washing machine.

A less voluminous washing machine is shown in the laid open patentapplication GB 2 378 712, which relates to a travel washing machine.This washing machine is driven by hand power in that an operator pressesa volume in which the laundry is located such that the water in thisvolume is forced out to a surrounding volume. When the pressuredecreases in the first volume the water flows back into this volume.This process is repeated a number of times such that the laundry iswashed.

Another type of washing machine without a rotating drum is disclosed inEP-B1-2633113. In contrast to most conventional washing machines, thelaundry is washed in an especially adapted flexible washing compartmentinside the washing machine. This washing machine uses negative pressurefor washing. This is a softer way of washing laundry at least comparedto conventional washing machines having rotating perforated metal drums.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a washing machine that is notvoluminous, doesn't use violent mechanical action to get the washingwater and washing agent into and out of the spaces between the fibres ofthe fabric and that washes laundry in a satisfying manner without theuse of hand power.

According to an aspect of the invention, this is provided by a washingmachine for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles. Alsothis washing machine provides a softer way of washing laundry at leastcompared to conventional washing machines having rotating perforatedmetal drums.

The washing machine has a main part and further comprises a flexiblewashing compartment in which flexible washing compartment the washing ofthe laundry takes place. The flexible washing compartment has a sealableopening for in an open state loading the laundry to be washed into theflexible washing compartment. The washing machine further comprises aninlet for supplying washing water into the flexible washing compartment,an outlet for disposal of washing water from the flexible washingcompartment. A mechanical pressure device is arranged at the flexiblewashing compartment, and in a closed state of the flexible washingcompartment arranged to provide mechanical, typically lifting, pressureon an outside of a part of the flexible washing compartment, moving,possibly lifting, this part such that the laundry is subject tomechanical action to assist washing.

Herein, the term “sealable” includes also just “closed” and is notlimited to absolutely hermetically sealed against any fluid.

The flexible washing compartment is subject to receive mechanicalpressure on its outside to provide washing inside the compartment. Thisis provided by means of one or more mechanical pressure devices arrangedat, outside to the flexible washing compartment and arranged to providepressure on the outside of the washing compartment, such that thelaundry inside the washing compartment is subject to receive mechanicalpressure.

In this way, the laundry inside the flexible washing compartment issplashed, kneaded, moved, pushed and possibly mangled. This can beprovided simultaneously or in a specific pattern. It is also possible topress the laundry hence and forth. This will be further explained indetail in various embodiments of the washing machine of this disclosure.

The mechanical pressure device providing all-mechanical pressureaccomplishes this without using violent mechanical action, such asprovided by a rotating drum of conventional today's washing machines, toget the washing water and washing agent into and out of the spacesbetween the fibers of the fabric of the laundry.

The washing machine disclosed in various embodiments may be consideredalso to be an alternative to using a pressure-difference between theflexible washing compartment and its surroundings such as under-pressureor over-pressure inside the flexible washing compartment and atmosphericpressure outside to provide washing.

According to some embodiments, a pressure-difference can also be used inaddition to the all- mechanical pressure device to further increasewashing. According to some embodiments, in addition to the one or moreall-mechanical pressure devices, also negative-pressure such as vacuumpressure can be provided as disclosed for instance in EP-B1-2633113 tofurther increase washing.

Now, an example of use of the washing machine is presented as follows.This example is not limiting, but only intended as an example to explainthe operation of the washing machine of this disclosure.

First, dirty laundry is placed into the open flexible washingcompartment.

Initially, clean washing water is provided into the flexible washingcompartment via the inlet typically via a heater from the washingmachine, which heats the water to a desired temperature. A washingdetergent may be provided directly to the flexible washing compartmentor via a separate compartment or container in the washing machine to bedistributed into the flexible washing compartment together with thewater. After that the water has been added to the washing compartmentand being set in a closed state, the mechanical pressure device isactivated by means of providing mechanical, typically lifting, pressureon the outside of a part of the flexible washing compartment, moving,possibly lifting, this part such that the laundry is subject tomechanical action to provide washing. Typically, gradually the water islet out, via the outlet and the same water may be returned for instancevia a reservoir provided in the main part of the washing machine to thewashing compartment a couple of times before the used washing water isexchanged and the cycle is repeated once again.

An advantage of the invention is that only as much water as is needed(in each washing cycle) to wet the laundry is needed, whereby theconsumption of both water and energy may be minimised. Rinsing thelaundry of course requires some additional water.

Additionally, the flexible washing compartment has preferably a shapememory such that it will regain its original shape once the mechanicalpressure has been removed.

Two further advantages of the invention include firstly that the washingmachine does not comprise any voluminous element such as a pressurechamber or a cylinder drum, and secondly, that the actual washing volumebeing the flexible washing compartment is removable and may be used forsorting and storage of dirty laundry

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detaileddescription and the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of the washing machine comprising a mainpart with a connected flexible washing compartment, wherein themechanical pressure device comprises a tiltable plate that can be movedup and down vertically at a desired inclination by means of hydraulicscrew devices,

FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of flexible washing compartmentand the mechanical pressure device, wherein the pressure devicecomprises a tiltable plate that is hingedly attached at one end thereofand that is arranged to be moved up and down at the other end at adesired inclination,

FIG. 1C shows yet an alternative embodiment of the flexible washingcompartment, and the mechanical pressure device, wherein the pressuredevice comprises a tiltable plate that is hingedly attached at a centralpart thereof and that is arranged to be swingable around a swing axis,

FIG. 2 shows an yet an alternative embodiment of the flexible washingcompartment, and the mechanical pressure device, wherein the pressuredevice comprises an adjustable roll device that can be moved inhorizontal direction, as well as in vertical direction, and that canrotate around an axis thereof,

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the mechanical pressure device, whichcomprises a rotatable conical roller device that can be rolled andthereby moved in horizontal direction along a plane,

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the mechanical pressure deviceshown in

FIG. 3, which comprises a rotatable slightly bent cylindrical rolldevice that can be rolled and thereby moved in horizontal directionalong a plane,

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the flexible washing compartment and themechanical pressure device, which comprises a roller and a supportingsheet attached to the roller and that can be rolled up on the roller tolift up part of the flexible washing compartment, and

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the flexible washing compartment andthe mechanical pressure device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the washing machine according the invention isshown in FIG. 1A. The washing machine 1 comprises a main part 4 (onlyschematically illustrated by dashed lines) and a flexible washingcompartment 10 in which the washing of the laundry L takes place. Theflexible washing compartment has a sealable opening 10 a for in an openstate loading the laundry L to be washed into the flexible washingcompartment 10. Typically, the flexible washing compartment 10 isremovably connectable to the main part 4, thereby sealing the flexiblewashing compartment when the washing compartment 10 is connected to themain part 4. In Figure la, the components of the main part 4 are onlyschematically shown. The washing machine 1 comprises an inlet 2, whichcan be or comprise an inlet connection, for supplying clean washingwater into the flexible washing compartment 10 and an outlet 3, whichcan be or comprise an out let connection, for disposal of used washingwater preferably by means of a pump from the flexible washingcompartment 10. In order to supply clean water a pump is normally notneeded because the water will be provided from a pressurised and closedwater system such as a public water supply system.

A mechanical pressure device 11 is arranged at the flexible washingcompartment 10, and in a closed state of the flexible washingcompartment arranged to provide mechanical, typically lifting, pressureon an outside 10′ of a part 10″ of the flexible washing compartment 10,moving, possibly lifting, this part10″ such that the laundry L issubject to mechanical action to provide washing.

The flexible washing compartment 10 has an upper part 13 at which theopening 10 a is arranged and adapted to be in flow communication withthe main part 4, and a lower part 14, at which the laundry L is adaptedto be positioned during washing or dewatering.

Preferably, the main part 4 comprises a heating unit 5 with which thewater may be heated to the desired temperature regardless of the inlettemperature. The main part 4 can also include a reservoir 6, such as asmall tank, in which the heating unit 5 may be arranged. The reservoir 6makes it possible to re-utilise the washing water. Due to environmentalfriendly reasons it is advantageous that the laundry L is washed severaltimes with the same water, because it saves both water and heatingenergy. Further, the washing efficiency is not drastically worsenedbecause the same washing water is used several times, since the washingwater very rarely is saturated in impurities. Hence, a prewash with afirst water change is only necessary when very dirty laundry is to bewashed. A water exchange should however always be made for the rinsingof the laundry.

For reasons concerning both the environment and the washing efficiencyit is also advantageous if the reservoir 6 is heat isolated such thatheat energy is saved between the different washing steps.

Preferably, the main part 4 of the washing machine comprises electroniccircuitry (not shown) where a desired washing programme out of severableselectable washing programmes may be chosen. The washing programmes maye.g. control the washing temperature, number of soakings of the laundryL, number of change of washing water, the dryness of the laundry afterthe performed washing and other parameters that may be controlled onconventional washing machines. Preferably, there is a number pre-setwashing programmes that may be chosen by means of a suitable interfaceon the main part 4. To provide further flexibility or as a safetymeasure the interface of the electronic equipment may however be sucharranged that the user is given information about which washingprogramme that is set to be used, whereby he may also have thepossibility to change to another programme if desired.

Preferably, the main part 4 also comprises a compartment (not shown) fordosage of washing detergent, which is located such that the water thatis supplied to the flexible washing compartment 10 will pass and bringthe washing detergent from it. It is however also possible to place thewashing detergent directly in the flexible washing compartment 10.

A flexible washing compartment 10 that is to be used in the washingmachine 1 naturally needs to be specially designed in order for thewashing to be performed in it. This is shown in FIG. 1A. Most importantis of course that is fluid tight. Further, it needs to have a connectionpart for fluid tight connection to the connection part 4′of the mainpart 4 such that washing water may be transported in and out of theflexible washing compartment 10 without any leakage. Preferably, theflexible washing compartment 10 is removably connected to the connectionpart 4′ of the main part 4, wherein the connection part as anon-limiting example is acting as a rigid lid 4′ as in the shownembodiment (showing part of the main part 4 acting as a rigid lid, butthe flexible washing compartment 10 also has an opening 10 a for theentering and removal of laundry L. In the shown embodiment, theconnection part 4′ and the opening 10 a are integrated in such a waythat the opening of the flexible washing compartment 10 is connected toor such that it encloses a connection part 4′ of the main part 4 of thewashing machine 1. According to another embodiment the opening 10 a ofthe flexible washing compartment 10 may instead be separated from theconnection to the main part, wherein the flexible washing compartment 10comprises both a separate opening with a fluid tight seal such as azipper or any other type of seal and a separate connection part forconnection to the main part 4 of the washing machine 1.

A way of enabling a feasible connection of the flexible washingcompartment 10 to the main part 4 is thus to provide the flexiblewashing compartment 10 with a connection part 4′ embodied as a lid thatmay be attached to or attachable to a connection unit of the main part 4and be fastened in a way that ensures that the flexible washingcompartment 10 is held at place and that minimises leakage between theflexible washing compartment 10 and the connection unit.

The above disclosure of the main part 4 is applicable and can becombined with all disclosed mechanical pressure devices 11 as follows,and is hence not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed inrelation to FIG. 1a only.

As shown in this FIG. 1A, the mechanical pressure device 11 is arrangedunder the flexible washing compartment 10, wherein the mechanicalpressure device 11 comprises a tiltable plate 12 that can be moved upand down vertically at a desired inclination by means of hydraulic screwdevices 12 a, 12 b running on a respective runner pole. If as anexample, one of the screw devices, the first screw device 12 a isscrewed higher up the other screw device 12 b, the plate 12 will betilted as illustrated in the inset to FIG. 1A, thereby affecting thelaundry L inside the flexible washing compartment, falling from one sideto another within the flexible washing compartment 10 when tilted.

The laundry L is kneaded by the inner walls 10′″ of the flexible washingcompartment and towards each other which is all-mechanical washingrequiring no rotating drum or pressure difference between the flexiblewashing compartment and its surroundings as is required in a vacuumwashing machine operating with pressure difference. This also increasesthe washing efficiency and is gentle to the laundry compared toconventional washing machines having rotating drums.

Once the washing water has been let out via the outlet 3 to the desireddegree the rinsing water is supplied via inlet 2 to the flexible washingcompartment 10. The purpose of the rinsing water is e.g. to perform afinal cleaning of the laundry and to remove any remainders of thewashing detergent. Further, rinsing fluid and/or fabric softener, whichsoftens and/or gives the laundry a pleasant fragrance, may be suppliedtogether with the rinsing water.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of flexible washing compartment10 and the mechanical pressure device 11, wherein the pressure devicecomprises a tiltable plate 12 that is hingedly attached at one end 12 cthereof and that is arranged to be moved up and down at the other end 12d at a desired inclination. This is illustrated by a double-headedarrow.

FIG. 1C shows yet an alternative embodiment of the flexible washingcompartment 10, and the mechanical pressure device, wherein the pressuredevice 10 comprises a tiltable plate 12 that is hingedly attached at acentral part thereof and that is arranged to be swingable around a swingaxis B (see double-headed arrow).

FIG. 2 shows yet an alternative embodiment of the flexible washingcompartment 10, and the mechanical pressure device 11, wherein thepressure device comprises an adjustable roll device 17 that can be movedin horizontal direction, as well as in vertical direction, and that canrotate around an axis A thereof.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the mechanical pressure device 11, whichcomprises a rotatable conical roll device 15 that can be rolled andthereby moved in horizontal direction along a plane 15 a,

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the roll device 15 shown inFIG. 3, which comprises a rotatable slightly bent cylindrical rolldevice 15 that can be rolled around an axis R and thereby moved inhorizontal direction along a plane similar to the plane 15 a in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows shows an embodiment of the flexible washing compartment andthe mechanical pressure device, which comprises a roller 23 and asupporting sheet 22 (supporting the washing compartment 10) at one end22 a attached to the roller 23 and that can be rolled up on the roller23 to lift up part 10′″ of the flexible washing compartment 10 (asillustrated by the dashed line).

FIG. 6 shows that a further counter-acting device 16 is arranged toprovide counter-acting pressure Pc against the pressure applied by themechanical pressure device 11, such that the laundry L is subject tomechanical action to assist dewatering by being pressed between the themechanical pressure device 11 pressing upwards and the counter-actingdevice 16 pressing down-wards.

According to yet an embodiment, at the opening 10 a there is provided astrainer, perforated plate or perforated column to prevent the laundry Lbeing washed or dewatered from inhibiting the access or egress of thewashing water and any other fluids involved into and out of the washingcompartment 10.

It is advantageous if the inner walls 10′″ of the flexible washingcompartment 10 do not have concavities and/or convexities with sharpedges since these could damage the laundry and could undesirably assistto guide the fluid along the walls and not through the laundry. Thewashing effect is on the contrary achieved when the fluid flows throughthe laundry, preferably at the same time as they are kneaded by thewalls as they are being sucked towards each other.

The washing flexible washing compartment can also contain a heatisolating layer in order to minimise the portion of heat energy that isemitted to the surrounding. This may be important for energy saving.Further it is advantageous if the flexible washing compartment has ashape memory such that it regains its original shape after that thepressure has been balanced such that it is substantially the same insideand outside of the flexible washing compartment. This may e.g. beachieved in that the flexible washing compartment is made in a rigidmaterial, or in that it is provided with rigidities, e.g. at its edges.

1. A wash machine for the washing of laundry such as clothes andtextiles, which washing machine has a main part and further comprises aflexible washing compartment in which the washing of the laundry takesplace, wherein the flexible washing compartment has a sealable openingfor in an open state loading the laundry to be washed into the flexiblewashing compartment, wherein the washing machine further comprises: aninlet, for supplying washing water into the flexible washingcompartment, an outlet, for disposal of washing water from the flexiblewashing compartment, and a mechanical pressure device arranged at theflexible washing compartment, and in a closed state of the flexiblewashing compartment arranged to provide mechanical lifting pressure onthe outside of a part of the flexible washing compartment, lifting thispart such that the laundry is subject to mechanical action to assistwashing.
 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein themechanical pressure device is arranged under the flexible washingcompartment, wherein the mechanical pressure device comprises a tiltableplate that can be moved up and down vertically at a desired inclinationby means of hydraulic screw devices.
 3. The washing machine according toclaim 1, wherein the mechanical pressure device is arranged under theflexible washing compartment, wherein the pressure device comprises atiltable plate that is hingedly attached at one end thereof and that isarranged to be moved up and down at the other end at a desiredinclination.
 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein themechanical pressure device is arranged under the flexible washingcompartment, wherein the pressure device comprises a tiltable plate thatis hingedly attached at a central part thereof and that is arranged tobe swingable around a swing axis.
 5. The washing machine according toclaim 1, wherein the mechanical pressure device is arranged under theflexible washing compartment, wherein the pressure device comprises anadjustable roll device that can be moved in horizontal direction, aswell as in vertical direction, and that can rotate around an axisthereof.
 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein themechanical pressure device is arranged under the flexible washingcompartment, wherein the pressure device comprises an rotatable conicalroller device that can be rolled and thereby moved in horizontaldirection along a plane.
 7. The washing machine according to claim 1,wherein a further counter-acting device is arranged to providecounter-acting pressure against the pressure applied by the mechanicalpressure device, such that the laundry is subject to mechanical actionto assist dewatering.
 8. The washing machine according to claim 1,wherein the flexible washing compartment has an upper part at which theopening is arranged and adapted to be in flow communication with themain part, and a lower part, at which the laundry is adapted to bepositioned during washing or dewatering.
 9. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, wherein at the opening there is provided astrainer, perforated plate or perforated column to prevent the laundrybeing washed or dewatered from inhibiting the access or egress of thewashing water and any other fluids involved into and out of the washingcompartment.
 10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein theflexible washing compartment has an openable and closable seal foropening or closing the flexible washing compartment at the opening. 11.The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the flexible washingcompartment is connected to a reservoir provided inside the washingmachine for receiving used washing water and re-circulating the washingwater one or more times back to the flexible washing compartment. 12.The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the main partcomprises a water container and a heating unit, respectively, forheating the washing water before it is supplied into the flexiblewashing compartment.
 13. The washing machine according to claim 1, thewashing machine comprises a connection so that compressed air, gas orhydraulic pressure or vacuum may be applied to the flexible washingcompartment.
 14. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein thewashing machine comprises water inlet and outlet connections so thatwashing water possibly mixed with washing agent can be drawn into andexpelled out of, respectively the flexible washing compartment.
 15. Thewashing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet connectioncomprises a valve configured to let water into the flexible washingcompartment.
 16. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein wateroutlet comprises a valve and a pump configured to let water out of theflexible washing compartment.
 17. The washing machine according to claim1, wherein there is/are provided power operated pumps or pumpsconfigured to let water out of the flexible washing compartment.